2026-09-25 11:39 UTC
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This keeps their cellular boundaries fluid and flexible—acting more like liquid olive oil than solid butter.
3. Chemical Scaffolding (Piezolytes)
Even if your body doesn't crush, extreme hydrostatic pressure can literally force water molecules into the folds of your enzymes and proteins, warping their shape so they stop working.
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#biology
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@appassionato@mastodon.social 2026-09-25 11:39
12/ Deep-sea animals combat this by packing their tissues with specialized molecules called piezolytes (the most common being TMAO, or trimethylamine oxide). These molecules act like microscopic scaffolding. They bind to water molecules and hold proteins in their proper three-dimensional shape, preventing the sheer weight of the ocean from squashing the animal's biochemistry. #science #biology #marine